Endowment Funds

Rumson Country Day School's endowment funds can be compared to an individual's savings account and investments. Income from our endowment is another reliable source of annual revenue, providing support for teachers, students, and programs without pushing up tuition. Endowment is also a financial reserve that puts the School in a position to seize opportunities such as investing in technology, launching new Rumson Country Day School's endowment funds can be compared to an individual's savings account and investments. Income from our endowment is another reliable source of annual revenue, providing support for teachers, students, and programs without pushing up tuition. Endowment is also a financial reserve that puts the School in a position to seize opportunities such as investing in technology, launching new programs, or enlarging the campus. Above all, perhaps, endowment means long-term security, protecting the School's quality if enrollments temporarily decline or the economy hits a rough spot.

Although all gifts to endowment strengthen RCDS, there are three areas of particular concern: general endowment, endowed financial aid for students and endowed compensation of faculty.

Please contact Missy Falkenberg, Director of Development, for more information about our endowment funds at mfalkenberg@rcds.org or 732-842-0527, ext. 1142.

General Endowment

Gifts made to general endowment strengthen RCDS's overall position, giving our trustees flexibility to apply annual income to any need. This can be invaluable in times of economic stringency, giving the School a reliable source of unrestricted annual income.

8th Grade Endowment Fund

Starting in the spring of 2012, 8th Grade families at RCDS have been invited to make a special, endowed gift to the school, in order for them to leave a lasting legacy at the institution which made such an impact on their children’s lives. These gifts are aggregated and added to the general endowment fund of The Rumson Country Day School. This fund provides both the Headmaster and the Board of Trustees with financial flexibility above and beyond annual budget allocation and can be used to assist the School with any priority or need. The collective gift made by 8th Grade families each year are recognized at Class Day and Commencement Day, as well as in the School’s Annual Donor Report.

Endowment for Financial Aid

The Rumson Country Day School's mission is to educate students "from all communities" -- well-qualified children who can benefit from what RCDS offers and contribute to the life of our school. As the cost of an independent education rises, however, we can keep our school open to low- and middle-income families only by offering substantial financial assistance. RCDS seeks to add sufficient financial aid endowment to support at least one new tuition per year at each grade level.

Endowing Compensation for Teachers

RCDS does not want to compromise with quality in faculty recruitment and retention. To that end, we have carefully fashioned a total compensation package that rewards our teachers with opportunities to further their education and acquire valuable professional skills, while also stimulating their interest in their chosen fields through travel, independent studies, and attendance at conferences and workshops.

One approach is to endow "Master Faculty" positions for teachers who have dedicated their professional careers to Rumson Country Day and attained the highest level of skill. These teachers are recognized and rewarded through our Master Faculty Fund, which is administered by our Headmaster and trustees.

Another category of faculty-related endowment supports the intellectual growth and currency of individual teachers. Every year since 2000, this program of "Enrichment Grants" has provided opportunities for several RCDS teachers to travel around the world for professional study. In recent years, our teachers have visited schools in China and South Africa, studied the history of the Holocaust in Scandinavia and the low countries, explored historic sites in Greece and Italy, experienced the wonders of the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu, taken courses in medieval studies at Cambridge University - to name just a few. Each time, a new group of teachers returns to share their experiences with their students and colleagues and integrate their newfound material into our curriculum. Our Endowment for Faculty Enrichment makes this program possible.